Water & Wastewater Asia January/February 2024

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IN CONVERSATION WITH Advanced infrastructure enables natural goods and value streams, business and politics work together, and sales processes and procurement follow standardised procedures. At the same time, high bureaucracy and close regulation tend to hinder the markets flexibility and innovation spirit. In terms of human capital, we lack young workforce, especially in the craft sector. Hermes delivering the keynote speech at the Wilo Group industry conference 2023 (Image: Wilo Group) The ongoing dynamic economic Underlying all of these is the trend of development in many parts of the world, digitisation. As the digital pioneer of our especially in emerging economies, is industry, we see this as an enabler for all triggering an increasing demand for these issues. Only if we are willing to adapt energy. By installing high-efficiency — to constantly innovate our products pumps for heating, cooling and air and business model — we will be able to conditioning applications, 246 terawatt succeed in the end. hours (TWh) of energy could be saved every year. Furthermore, together with What are the similarities and differences our long-term partner Schneider Electric, between mature and emerging markets, we have developed a complete solution and what opportunities for growth and for the generation and storage of surplus investment do you see in South East Asia? renewable energy. Using electrolysis, Hermes: Since the population in the the H2POWERPLANT converts surplus mature markets are shrinking rather than energy in green hydrogen, which can growing, and basic needs have been mostly then be temporarily stored before being saturated — we see that the focus is now ‘reconverted’ into electricity via fuel cells in on the improvement of quality, efficiency, or a highly automated process when required. connectivity rather than on sheer quantity. For example, we have been approved by Last but not least, over the last few years, Thames Water to maintain and upgrade we experienced major geopolitical shifts. some of their pumping stations in and around Long-term alliances have crumbled, the city of London, the UK. Thames Water causing disruptions in the transaction of are responsible for around 9,000 pumping goods, money and knowledge. We oppose stations in the south east of UK, taking care this with our region-for-region approach, of the wastewater transport for the region. By thus by strengthening regional networks, upgrading these stations, they become more diversifying supply chains, and fostering reliable, cost-efficient and sustainable for the new trade corridors. frequency of extreme weather events. In the emerging markets, we see a different picture. What those countries have in common are volatile market dynamics, fast growing populations and middle classes, but also huge inner contradictions in terms of living standards. As the populations and their cities grow, so do their claims for functioning infrastructure as well as opportunities for consumption and employment. Emerging markets are often more affected by the consequences of climate change, sometimes by floods or droughts. The young population is eager to work while sometimes being less qualified. Though the economic potential might be obvious, different forms of government, corruptions, trade barriers or lacking regulations complicate investments. Both modes take different approaches and need a socio-economic understanding for the underlying dynamics. Then, each markets’ challenges can be seen as opportunities. South East Asia is an excellent example for this. In growing megacities like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or Singapore, millions of people demand for functioning infrastructure such as water supply and sanitation at the same time. With the new capital Nusantara, the Indonesian government radically invests in the creation of a greenfield city with a sustainable and futureproof infrastructure. How has Wilo Group progressed under your leadership since 2006? Hermes: In contrast to my valued predecessors, I am not an engineer but an economist, therefore I cannot help but look beyond the pump and along the entire value chain. Concretely, I was able to strengthen Wilo’s innovation leadership by pursuing the Group’s shift from a component manufacturer to a provider of systems, solutions and services. 18 Water & Wastewater Asia | January-February 2024
IN CONVERSATION WITH Due to the need for sustainable water solutions, our strong innovation spirit, our constant aim for technological leadership and our strong regional networks all over the world — we are well-positioned to future challenges. Oliver Hermes President and CEO smart and sustainable water solutions with Singapore’s role as an urban living laboratory to catalyse critical cross-sector collaborations that can enable smart, connected and sustainable cities across the region. This was especially important as the percentage of people living in urban cities will increase to 70% by 2050, alongside an increase in the number of megacities, which will put a strain on existing infrastructure as demand for resources are expected to grow alongside increasing climate risk. Another major target of mine has been to promote the transformation of the Wilo Group towards becoming a digital climate protection pioneer of the industry. As a result, we have been selected as one of the 50 sustainability and climate leaders worldwide in 2020. Within the strategic realignment of the Group, I sped up the internationalisation of the business: I consolidated Wilo’s position as a leading global player by entering the markets of east, west and central Africa and the countries of Latin America, strengthening the regional presence in South East Asia and the Middle East, and establishing new plants in Russia, India, China, Korea, Turkey, the UAE and the US. As a result, the Wilo Group has grown into a multibillion business in recent years. Through the modernisation of brand identity and development of the corporate group from a ‘hidden champion’ to a ‘visible and connected champion’, I was able to increase our brand performance and visibility. This might be a result of my strong engagement in the field of political responsibility, for example my committee work for German Asia-Pacific Business Association, the German Eastern Business Association, German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV) or most recently, the German-African Business Association, as well as the implementation of government and public affairs as a corporate function. What are your hopes for Wilo Group as it works towards its strategic plans? What is your market outlook for 2024? Hermes: The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russians’ invasion in the Ukraine have proven that the Wilo Group can consolidate and keep up profitable growth in challenging times. We do not expect the geopolitical situation to change for the better anytime soon, nevertheless, are optimistic that — due to the need for sustainable water solutions, our strong innovation spirit, our constant aim for technological leadership and our strong regional networks all over the world — we are well-positioned to future challenges. With our strategic business development in the fields of water treatment and hydrogen, we want to broaden our offer as a solutions provider in challenging times. With new capitals in Indonesia and Uzbekistan, we have some major smart city projects coming up and want to strengthen our position as a preferred solution provider in this field. In terms of market development, we certainly have a strong focus on the ASEAN region, with the aim to strengthen our regional presence with a hub in Singapore. The same applies for the Middle East and central Asian region as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. What is your take on Wilo Group’s first-ever industry conference in Asia this year? How has it sparked dialogue about sustainability and support urbanisation pathways in the region? Hermes: We are honoured to have hosted our first-ever industry conference in Asia and Singapore, one of the world’s smartest cities, in 2023. Our aim was to combine our expertise and network in The conference saw inspiring dialogues around how digital solutions can help address some of the megatrends we are facing, including globalisation, urbanisation, energy and water shortages, climate change, and digital transformation. We were proud to share how our high-efficiency and smart pumps are an example of such digital solutions, and exchange insights with thought leaders across various sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), green buildings, spatial planning and more. We are excited to continue strengthening our collaborations with these industry leaders as we shape the future of smart and sustainable urban areas in Asia. It is an exciting journey, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront. Oliver Hermes President and CEO, Wilo Group Water & Wastewater Asia | January-February 2024 19
Page 1: JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 www.waterwa
Page 4 and 5: CONTENTS 04 Editor’s note 05 News
Page 6 and 7: EDITOR’S NOTE Our bodies of water
Page 8 and 9: NEWS Aurecon expands environmental
Page 10 and 11: NEWS LANXESS reshuffles management
Page 12 and 13: NEWS Rivers are Life unveils inaugu
Page 14 and 15: SINGAPORE FOCUS Navigating the wate
Page 16 and 17: SINGAPORE FOCUS Redefining cleantec
Page 18 and 19: SINGAPORE FOCUS chemicals’ due to
Page 22 and 23: IN CONVERSATION WITH Puraffinity pl
Page 24 and 25: IN CONVERSATION WITH “Prioritise
Page 26 and 27: IN CONVERSATION WITH “The water i
Page 28 and 29: IN THE FIELD HOYA Electronics recyc
Page 30 and 31: IN THE FIELD Digital twins for wate
Page 32 and 33: IN THE FIELD Aerzen’s quantaer fi
Page 34 and 35: IN THE FIELD The challenges of wate
Page 36 and 37: FOCUS Energy efficient opportunitie
Page 38 and 39: FOCUS ABB’s ‘Ability Energy Man
Page 40 and 41: FOCUS KROHNE SOLUTION The water uti
Page 42 and 43: FOCUS pH. However, these alkalising
Page 44 and 45: FOCUS using a USB cable, however th
Page 46 and 47: FOCUS SHIFTING TO A SAFER AND MORE
Page 48 and 49: HOTSEAT A pivotal element in Altent
Page 50 and 51: HOTSEAT Sullage water treatment usi
Page 52 and 53: [Trade Fair] Vietwater 2023 11-13 O
Page 54 and 55: [Visit] Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Ai
Page 56 and 57: UPCOMING SWA ACTIVITIES [Trade Fair
Page 58 and 59: ON OUR RADAR Sumitomo speed reducer
Page 60 and 61: ON OUR RADAR Transmitter for precis
Page 62 and 63: ON OUR RADAR Danfoss DST P10B CANop
Page 64 and 65: SHOW REVIEW SEA 2023 highlights gro
Page 66: ADVERTISER’S INDEX ADVERTISER ASI

Water & Wastewater Asia January/February 2024

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